1
as in inspires
to fill with courage or strength of purpose
a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in promotes
to help the growth or development of
asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provokes
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the movie's cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in urges
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems in hopes of saving their marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encourages
Besides the gleaming blue hull, the 60-footer has an open layout that encourages sociability while promoting privacy in areas like the sunbed at the stern or foredeck lounge.
—
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Each troll has a name and a story that encourages nature exploration and ultimately finding ways to protect the earth.
—Khadejeh Nikouyeh, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
The Arizona Department of Health Services continues to promote early intervention programs like First Smiles Matter, which encourages parents to schedule dental visits before a child’s first birthday.
—Sixteen Ramos, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
The Indiana Department of Natural Resource’s Division of Law Enforcement division heads up the $145,500 state-run program enacted through legislation in 2013 that encourages hunters to share their excess kills to help feed the hungry.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
Weissberg encourages finding joy wherever possible.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
Pruning encourages new growth for the next season.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025
Still, Matthew Rae, associate director of the Program on the Health Care Marketplace at KFF, encourages small businesses to look around for potential opportunities to save.
—Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Each troll has a name and a story that encourages nature exploration and ultimately finding ways to protect the earth.
—Khadejeh Nikouyeh, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
The Arizona Department of Health Services continues to promote early intervention programs like First Smiles Matter, which encourages parents to schedule dental visits before a child’s first birthday.
—Sixteen Ramos, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
The Indiana Department of Natural Resource’s Division of Law Enforcement division heads up the $145,500 state-run program enacted through legislation in 2013 that encourages hunters to share their excess kills to help feed the hungry.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
Weissberg encourages finding joy wherever possible.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
Pruning encourages new growth for the next season.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025
Still, Matthew Rae, associate director of the Program on the Health Care Marketplace at KFF, encourages small businesses to look around for potential opportunities to save.
—Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encourages
Verb
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And then that usually inspires another melody and other parts of the song.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
What, these days, inspires you to hit the gym or work hard or pursue success in other ways?—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Key Takeaways Persimmons are rich in fiber, which supports digestion and promotes heart health.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
10 Nov. 2025
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Research suggests that movement helps to regulate circadian rhythm and increases melatonin production, which is a hormone that increases at night and promotes sleep.—
Olivia Lee,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Mercury in Sagittarius provokes your mind to venture into uncharted territory.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Blue Film provokes and captivates in equal measure, with the naked honesty of a black box off-off-Broadway play.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Having overlooked many of her own symptoms, Farrington urges people to listen to their body and recognize when something doesn’t seem right.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The ad urges members and supporters to join the NRA’s bid to fight back in the congressional midterm elections, where it is expected that Democrats will make a national push for an assault weapons ban like the one former President Bill Clinton instituted in 1994.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In her own life, Kat cultivates those conditions.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
By fostering an internal environment where employees are encouraged to question assumptions, share expertise, and engage in reflective thinking, The Rise Group cultivates the intellectual space needed to pursue meaningful insights.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mercury entering Sagittarius today stimulates your creative faculties.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
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The low-level, external electrical charge stimulates the body’s internal repair mechanism.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Far from contemporary pop, each note and lyric demands your full attention; the reward is transcendence, even as the material nudges you to annotate like a philosophy student with a highlighter in hand.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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Her leg nudges mine, the hem of her overalls inching up her thighs.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Empath fosters psychological safety, inclusive dialogue and a culture of empathy.—
Kelly Jones,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Since its founding, Facebook has described itself as a kind of public service that fosters relationships.—
Damon Beres,
The Atlantic,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encourages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encourages. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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